The “exception clause” refers to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19:9 which states: “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” This verse provides an exception to the general prohibition against divorce and remarriage found elsewhere in the Bible. The exception is that in cases of sexual immorality or adultery, divorce and remarriage are permitted.
There has been much debate over how to interpret this exception clause. Some of the key questions include:
- What constitutes “sexual immorality”? Does this only refer to adultery, or does it include other sexual sins as well?
- Does this exception apply to both men and women equally, or only to men as the initiators of divorce in ancient Jewish culture?
- Is the exception clause intended as a command, recommendation, or concession? In other words, does Jesus command divorce in cases of sexual immorality, recommend it, or reluctantly allow it?
- Does this exception permit remarriage after such a divorce, or only allow separation without remarriage?
There are several major interpretations of the exception clause within Christian history and theology:
No exception, prohibition of all remarriage
Some argue that there is no exception – that Jesus prohibited all remarriage after divorce. This view argues that either: 1) the exception clause is not original to Jesus’ teaching but was added later by Matthew or early scribes, or 2) the “exception” refers not to adultery but to separation without remarriage. This view dominated in the early church, being held by Shepherd of Hermas, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria, and Tertullian. It appeals to the strict teachings on divorce and remarriage found elsewhere in the Bible (Mark 10:11-12, Luke 16:18, Romans 7:2-3, 1 Corinthians 7:10-11). Critics argue this fails to satisfactorily explain the Matthean exception clause.
Exception only applies to adultery
A second perspective limits legitimate divorce and remarriage to cases of adultery or sexual immorality. This view was common in the late-medieval church. It limits “sexual immorality” to refer only to adultery, arguing the Greek term porneia was commonly used in Judaism to refer to adultery. Critics argue the meaning of porneia was broader than just adultery.
Exception permits divorce/remarriage for any sexual sin
Some interpret the clause broadly to refer to any serious sexual sin including homosexuality, incest, abuse, etc. This legitimizes divorce and remarriage not just for adultery but other sexually immoral behaviors. Proponents argue this better fits the broad meaning of porneia and the Jewish betrothal view of marriage, in which sexual sin annulled a marriage. Critics argue this over-extends the meaning of porneia.
Exception permits separation but not remarriage
A fourth view held by some Protestants is that the exception clause permits separation and even divorce in cases of serious sexual sin, but does not permit remarriage. This aptly accounts for the exception while also respecting the strong prohibitions against remarriage elsewhere in Scripture. However critics argue this imposes an artificial construct not clearly indicated in the text.
Looking more deeply into the key questions, there are several factors to consider:
The meaning of “sexual immorality”
The Greek term is porneia, which had a broad semantic range including sexual sin, adultery, prostitution, and incest. The precise nuance was determined by context. Since porneia can refer broadly to sexual sin, the exception clause need not be limited strictly to adultery. However, context may suggest a narrower meaning – Matthew is addressing divorce, so an exception concerning adultery would be most relevant.
Does the exception apply equally to men and women?
In ancient Jewish culture, men were permitted to divorce wives almost unconditionally. Jesus prohibited this, only allowing divorce for sexual immorality. Since women did not have authority to divorce under the law, the exception as stated appears directed to men. However, most argue that it should apply equally today.
Is it a command, concession, or recommendation?
Views differ on whether Jesus was reluctantly conceding to divorce in cases of immorality, recommending it, or commanding it. Those holding a strong prohibitionist view tend to see it as a reluctant concession. But comparison to similar Jewish teachings suggests this was intended positively as a command or recommendation, not negatively as a concession.
Does it permit remarriage?
The struggle here is that while the exception clause permits divorce for immorality, Jesus does not explicitly mention remarriage. The prohibitionists argue that the absence of mention of remarriage means it is forbidden. However, most Jewish divorce practices assumed and permitted remarriage after divorce. So an exception opening the way for divorce would by extension allow remarriage. This is strengthened by the fact that the context in Matthew 19 is a question about not just divorce but remarriage.
Looking more broadly at principles through the rest of Scripture, several additional considerations emerge:
Teachings on marriage and divorce
Scripture consistently presents marriage as a sacred, exclusive, permanent covenant bond. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). However, biblical law did make accommodations for it. Likewise, while Jesus upheld the genesis ideal of no divorce, the exception clause acknowledges certain tragic realities in a fallen world.
Significance of sexual union
Sexual union is intended only within marriage. Immorality strikes at the exclusivity of the one flesh union. Sexually becoming “one flesh” with another violates and undermines the marriage covenant (1 Cor 6:16). This exceptional situation thus warrants exception from strict divorce prohibition. However, divorce should be a last resort.
Purity and sexual ethics
Consistently through Scripture, God strongly prohibits sexual immorality and calls his people to purity. The exception clause takes this seriously and makes allowance for victims of immorality to be freed from ongoing defilement and complicity.
Reconciliation or judgment
Some proponents of strict prohibition appeal to the Bible’s strong emphasis on grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation – arguing divorce should rarely if ever be considered. However, Scripture also presents situations in which immorality warrants discipline and judgment for the unrepentant (1 Cor 5). The exception clause balances these twin priorities of reconciliation and holiness.
Synthesizing principles of marriage permanence, reconciliation, sexual purity, and concession to sin, the most consistent interpretation seems to be that the exception clause permitted not only separation, but also divorce and remarriage in the tragic cases where one partner was sexually unfaithful.
There are divergent views on how broadly to apply the “sexual immorality” of the clause – whether it refers strictly to adultery, or includes other immorality like abuse. But there is broad agreement that at minimum, adultery falls under the exception. This also coheres with the spirit of other teachings in Scripture, like Paul’s expanded exception principle in 1 Corinthians 7:15 permitting divorce when an unbelieving spouse abandons a marriage.
For a Christian facing this tragic situation, it is important to not just look at the technical rules but broader kingdom principles. Even if divorce and remarriage are permitted in some cases, they should be approached cautiously and undertaken only after attempting reconciliation. If divorce does occur, it should be carried out and regarded with grief rather than selfishness. The exception clause is not an escape hatch but permission for an ultimately tragic concession to sin consistent with other Scriptural precedents.
In summary, the exception clause provides a permissible concession to divorce and subsequent remarriage in the case that one’s spouse has been sexually unfaithful. This exception principle expresses God’s mercy in acknowledging the brokenness introduced by human sin, while upholding the broader values of marital permanence, sexual purity, and reconciliation.
Here are some key Bible verses illuminating the exception clause:
“And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9)
“To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11)
“In saying, ‘a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh,’ this mystery is profound; but I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:31-32)
“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” (Romans 7:2-3, KJV)
“But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.” (Matthew 5:32)
“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.” (Mark 10:11, KJV)
“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.” (Luke 16:18, KJV)
“But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15)
While the Bible contains strong prohibitions against divorce, the exception clause in Matthew 19:9 provides a permitted concession for cases of sexual immorality. This upholds principles of marital permanence and purity, while also extending mercy and acknowledgment of sinful brokenness. For Christians facing divorce, careful discernment, caution, and priority for reconciliation are essential.
The exception clause has been interpreted in various ways through history. But the most consistent view seems to be that it allowed not just separation or divorce, but also remarriage in situations where one’s spouse was sexually unfaithful. This exception principle expressed God’s mercy in tragic cases of immorality, while upholding the biblical values of marital fidelity and sexual purity. Christians facing such situations must approach this exception cautiously and with a spirit of reconciliation. But it does provide permitted recourse.
Overall, the exception clause balances strong ideals of marital permanence with concession to human fallenness. It continues to pose interpretive challenges, but points toward principles of sexual purity, reconciliation, and redemptive grace at the heart of Christian teaching on marriage and divorce.